I’m doing things a bit different around here this week! I’m kicking things off with my weekly blogparty, rather then ending with it because this party is going to be different. Instead of linking up posts about HOPE I’m going to ask you to introduce your favorite charities, those organizations who are actively bringing hope and possibility to the people and places that matter most to us.
At the end of the week Bliss Habits will be donating $250 to one randomly selected charity from the entries received.
To make things easy to enter, I’m asking only that you leave a comment on this post which tells us all about the organization you’d like to see receive the money. Include a link and anything you’d like to share about your personal story, why you choose the organization you do and what difference the $250 dollars could make. It is my hope that even if your selection isn’t chosen as the winner, you will help raise awareness and perhaps even a donation from another reader.
I am also trying out a rafflecopter widget so you ambitious types can get more entries every day! You do not have to participate in the rafflecopter options to enter, but doing so will allow you additional entries every day.
Let’s make a difference and spread some HOPE this week!!
I already support these charities regularly but in the spirit of spreading awareness
Heifer.org
One of my favorite organizations. My family and I have been gifting each other “flocks of geese, goats and pigs” for years! Our gifts deliver much needed farm animals to people who benefit most. Inspiring stories abound on their website. This is from their website regarding the remarkable $20 gift of Geese:
Geese Get Results
Geese make a great gift, and here’s why: Since some geese can lay up to 75 eggs a year the benefits add up quickly for families in desperate need of protein and a means of income. Geese are easy to care for because they don’t require much shelter and can adapt to hot, wet or cold weather. Geese can also find a good portion of their food by themselves, and they efficiently dispose of weed seeds and gobble up insects, slugs and snails.
Best of all, geese are highly efficient producers of animal protein. And they’re vigilant “watchdogs,” loudly warning when uninvited guests arrive at the homestead.
Heifer’s model spreads throughout communities as recipients pass on the gifts of animals and offspring – creating a sustainable cycle of hope and change.
Water.org
Matt Damon loves this organization so I do too. OK, so that isn’t my real reason. Water is one of the earth’s most precious resources and I believe one of the easiest and most productive ways to help people is to make sure that they have access to clean, safe water. It is actually possible . A $25 dollar gift here insures that one person has drinkable water – for LIFE! One gift gives for someones entire lifetime, now that is making a difference! Some basic information from their website:
Each day, many millions of people in developing countries must walk long distances to get the water they need for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Often, this water is contaminated. Water.org, co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, helps people in developing countries obtain safe drinking water and basic sanitation (toilets). Working in partnership with those in need, Water.org has transformed hundreds of communities in eight countries – Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala, India, Kenya, and the Philippines – with access to a safe, reliable source of water and basic sanitation.
On average, worldwide it only costs $25 to provide someone water for life. Costs for improved sanitation is even less. How far will you go?
American Cancer Society
My Dad died from prostate cancer, my grandmother had ovarian and lung cancer both of which contributed to her death, everyone knows someone who has died from this rotten disease. Keeping research dollars flowing will be the key to curing this disease.
American Cancer Society Funding
Funding by the American Cancer Society of some of the country’s most talented and innovative scientist researchers, the Society is proving its dedication to finding cures and fighting back against a disease that has taken too much.
Donating directly to the American Cancer Society and not by buying “Pink Products” is the best way to insure the dollars you give are used as you intend.
Now it is your turn.
Who would you give the $250 to if you were lucky enough to win? What HOPE organization would you like to bring awareness to? Leave a comment below to enter!
My nominated charity would be the Scottish Wildlife Trust which, as its name suggests looks after Scottish wildlife. It’s philosophy encompasses conservation and education and its projects include protecting red squirrels in Scotland, reintroducing wild beavers, eradicating non-native, invasive plant species and protecting local wildlife through the work of its wildlife centres. I am a volunteer at our local centre at the Montrose Basin where we have a huge diversity of wildlife – surpassed only by the Amazon Rainforest. My role is to assist visitors learn about the wildlife that we have in our area – particularly the 65,000+ pink footed geese that overwinter here. You can find out more about the SWT by following this link. http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/
I would definitely have to choose CHERUBS. CHERUBS is the kind of place that you didn’t know you needed until you found it. Now that you found it, you don’t know where you’d be without it.
When my daughter was diagnosed with CDH when I as 29 weeks pregnant, I was so lost and felt totally alone. When I’d first heard “hernia,” I didn’t think it was a big deal. My dad had gone years with herniated disks in his back. We’d be OK…right? WRONG! Just a few minutes later, the doctor said seven words to me that will play in my head the rest of my life: “There’s a chance she may not survive.”
I spent the next couple of weeks vigorously searching CDH, seeing images that were beyond disturbing and reading things that scared me to death! I decided that looking into it further was NOT a good idea. I continued on my pregnancy, sort of pretending like everything was going to be fine, putting on a brave face (something I mastered while in the NICU).
Finally, when my baby girl was at her sickest; fighting to survive every single day; hooked up to a heart-lung bypass machine called ECMO; trying to beat the demon called pulmonary hypertension, I found CHERUBS. FINALLY! These were people who GOT IT, people who knew exactly what you were dealing with, what you were feeling, what you were struggling to comprehend. They were that “shoulder” to cry on when I needed it most.
I am happy to report that my daughter made it out of the NICU after two-and-a-half months. And she made it out of the (third) hospital after three months and eight days. These days, she’s your average three-year-old who loves movies, dancing, jumping, running, singing, and anything else she decides to get into. But without CHERUBS, I may have lost hope. Hope. That word we so often pass around in our CHERUBS community. Hope. That word kept me (and the rest of us) going.
My charity is CHERUBS. I chose this organization as it is the largest and oldest organization devoted to increasing awareness, providing support to families, and encouraging research of the birth defect congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This birth defect affects 1 in every 2500 births. We just lost 6 babies in the US alone in the past 2 days. On average, 1600 babies are diagnosed in the US per year with only 800 surviving. This money would help CHERUBS continue to provide the services that its over 4000 members in 50 countries have come to expect.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My charity is also CHERUBS… my son was born 15 1/2 yrs ago with CDH. He has been a joy and a blessing, but extraordinarily complicated. It is heartbreaking that so many families have to feel the devastation of this birth defect, but how amazing to have a charity that not only helps those families, but knows first hand the consequences of both survivors and non-survivors. To help others is key…. awareness, support, and research. http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/
My nominated charity is Cherubs.My Grandson was born with CDH .He was given a 10% chance to survive.My world was turned upsidedown I had never heard of CDH.After 4 months in the hospital Cameron came home with lots of medical issuses. I found Cherubs on a website and joined I could finally come to terms and accept The Devastating Birth Defect CDH ! Now I didn’t feel all alone I had a community of people that became my family. My Cherubs family is my greatess supprters without this charity I would have no support system .CDH is a devastating Birth Defect the cause is unknown and this charity is working very hard to raise funds to help families ,raise funds for research to find the cause for CDH so we can wipe CDH out and not hear a survival rate of 50% is what to expcect for these babies .Losing 6 babies in 3 days is just not accetable we need to find a cause for CDH and CHERUBS will not stop until this happens .
My charity is BRAKING THE CYCLE. For the past decade, I have been riding to raise awareness of our on-going AIDS crisis and to support those living with this disease. Over the years I have lost 32 friends to AIDS. Men and women who were vibrant contributions to their families, friends and communities. I honor their memories through giving back.
This year our benefactor is Housing Works – the largest grassroots AIDS organization in the US. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through advocacy and lifesaving services. Their services are based in Manhattan, but the effects ripple across the globe.
$250 will go a long way toward helping someone get a roof over their head so they can fight their disease.
I have a four year old son with CDH congenital diaphragmatic hernia and four months before I delivered him one of my cousins delivered a son with CDH and he passed away. For four years I thought there was no hope, no survivors, no research, and noone raising awareness until yesterday. Yesterday, I was found by a Rep of Cherubs and I found there is a world full of survivors but also a world full of deaths related to this disease. Please help CHERUBS continue on their path to raise awareness and to research this disease. I know the reality of this disease may take my son’s life someday and I would like to know it wasn’t for nothing.
Sempervirens fund is working hard to conserve the redwoods right in the Santa Cruz mountains, and making sure there are “links” of land so animals can travel safely between wildness and managed lands. Crucial to our well being is to save our natural world right at our doorstep.
I also support Heifer society and its sustainable gifts that enable people to manage and produce their own food and clothing.
Also Southern Poverty Law Center and its constant vigilance against hate crimes and work for inclusion of every voice in the chorus that is the united states.
My charity would be CHERUBS. http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/
CHERUBS is the most wonderful charity for families who find out their baby has CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia). CDH is a life threatening birth defect with only a 50% chance of survival. CHERUBS helps families before and after the birth of their babies. CDH is not known by most people even though it affects 1 out of every 2500 babies born. My son was diagnosed with CDH at 20 weeks gestation. There is little that can be done in-utero (all current procedures are still experimental). My son only survived 14 days (all on ECMO), he was born with only one lung due to CDH and severe hypertension took him from us. Cherubs is a loving community that provides information to expecting parents, supports current research going on (there is no known cause of CDH), and helps grieving parents and parents of survivors. Without CHERUBS I would have been lost after losing my son. Please help CHERUBS. Any small amount helps! We lost 6 babies alone in the past 2 days.
CHERUBS http://www.cherub-cdh.org would be my HOPE charity of choice. I’m a member of CHERUBS and have been since we 1st heard the words over 12 years ago ( Congenital diaphragmatic Hernia ). I found them after we where told our 1st daughter would be born with it. We ran home and hit the internet and found CHERUBS. There has not been one day since finding them that they have NOT given HOPE to me and 1000’s of other members. We ended up losing our daughter after she fought for 14 hours. I never gave up on HOPE and I don’t want any other family to ever give up on HOPE for their CDH baby. So many wonderful doctor’s out there doing great work for these babies. We still need to keep working hard for all the new parents getting ready to hear these words for the 1st time and that is what CHERUBS does.
One of my favorite charities would be CHERUBS ~ as they have us HOPE when nobody else would . My granddaughter was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia when she was 17 weeks gestation . Even the doctors were giving my daughter no hope …they actually tried to talk her into an abortion stating that the survival rate was not good for “these types” of babies . Well of course we did what everyone else does these days …we went to the computer to find out just what CDH was and there we found CHERUBS …our HOPE …our salvation …our new family ….people who actually knew what we were going through all over the world , people who could give us HOPE when nobody else would , people we could turn to if we had a question and they could help up each step of the way …because they have been through it …were currently going through it or were about to go through it …same as we are . I am proud to say my grand-daughter ( yes the one the doctors were trying to convince my daughter to abort) is now a fiesty 2 1/2 year old and the only problem she has since having her surgery to fix her diaphragm is asthma . I dont know what we would do without CHERUBS in our lives .
My charity of choice would be CHERUBS… 12 weeks into my 4th pregnancy, I got news that no mother ever wants to hear, ” I need to get the doctor!” My husband was asked to take our children out of the room, while the doctor explained to us that our daughter had CDH (Congenital diaphragmatic Hernia). Still in total shock, we left and went online to find out all that we could. The medical community explain things in words that made our hearts sink. We finally found a support group filled with information that would allow us to be knowledgeable with our doctors. That support group was CHERUBS. I carried our daughter for 9 months, with anticipation that maybe my daughter would beat the odds. Allison Faith lived for 7 wonderful hours in the arms of her father, with her siblings around her. I watched from my bed, praying that this never has to happen again to another family. I am still a part of the CHERUBS group, I do all that I can to raise awareness. CHERUBS is a small but mighty charity…They are there to help everyone that hears those words, your child has a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
My charity is CHERUBS. I chose this organization as it is the largest and oldest organization devoted to increasing awareness, providing support to families, and encouraging research of the birth defect congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This birth defect affects 1 in every 2500 births. We just lost 6 babies in the US alone in the past 2 days. On average, 1600 babies are diagnosed in the US per year with only 800 surviving. This money would help CHERUBS continue to provide the services that its over 4000 members in 50 countries have come to expect.
Our family was devastated when our grandson was born with undiagnosed with CDH. He received his angel wings 33 days after birth. No parent should EVER have to go through the pain of losing a child.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My charity of choice would be CHERUBS. I chose them because we have been dealing with CDH for 13 yrs now and without the support of Cherubs I would be lost. My son was diagnosed at 19 weeks gestation and our lives were forever changed. Cherubs was the first thing I found when researching CDH. They have been there for me and gave me Hope through the scariest times in our lives. I couldn’t imagine having gone thro all of the surgeries , everyday trials from CDH without my Cherubs family.
I support CHERUBS through volunteerism, and donations to bring HOPE to those who find out that their baby will be, or has been (not all cases are discovered by ultrasound) born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CHERUBS provides support to families while advocating for increased awareness of the birth defect, and funding for research. They provide HOPE (Helping other parents expecting) totebags with items often donated by parents to help new members navigate the waters of a child born with a severe defect. Unfortunately, we do not know what causes CDH to happen, but it affects 1:2500 births, and has a 50% mortality rate.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My organization of choice is the MAD ANTHONY CHILDREN’S HOPE HOUSE. The MACHH is a hospitality house for families who have babies in the NICU or other children in the hospital. They run solely on donations and are always in need of money. My family stayed at the Hope House for a total of about 8 weeks. My daughter was born with severe birth complications and spent a lot of time in the NICU. Our first stay there was 6 1/2 weeks long. They are in the process of looking into expanding their facility so more families can be helped. Currently the house has only 6 rooms. MACHH gives HOPE to families going through difficult situations!
My charity would be CHERUBS!
(http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/)
CHERUBS supports families of those born with a devastating birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs’ ability to inhale and exhale. CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth, causes the heart function to be compromised and a long list of potential complications. The defect has to be surgically corrected & even if surgery is done they can still have problems for years to come. CDH occurs in approximately 1 in every 2,500 births and the cause of CDH is not yet known. Sadly it has a 50% survival rate, including the loss of 5 babies that we know of just in the last week!
These families go though incredible stress & have tons of expenses and many have to travel far from home for specialized care. Since they rarely know about CDH until someone they know is diagnosed with it, they don’t know where to go to get information & support and that’s where CHERUBS steps in! They give expecting & newborn families resources & support to cope with their journey and are continually fighting for more awareness & research funds to try to stop CDH. CHERUBS services over 4,000 families in 53 countries on a shoestring budget, all run by volunteers for the last 15+ years. $250.00 can go to print brochures, supply new family H.O.P.E. Totebags, cover the costs of the website, awareness events, gas or food cards for families, cost of postage for writing to legislators to pass the CDH Research bill or fundraiser events
They were there for us in the weeks before Jayden’s birth, while he was still fighting, and after he grew his wings at 23 days, and we are proud to support them back. . 🙂
My charity is CHERUBS. My first two children were born with and died from complications of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. I chose this organization as it is the largest and oldest organization devoted to increasing awareness, providing support to families, and encouraging research of the birth defect congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This birth defect affects 1 in every 2500 births. We just lost 6 babies in the US alone in the past 2 days. On average, 1600 babies are diagnosed in the US per year with only 800 surviving. This money would help CHERUBS continue to provide the services that its over 4000 members in 50 countries have come to expect.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My charity of choice is CHERUBS. My daughter was born with CDH 3 years ago and cherubs has been my family ever since. CDH has only a 50% survival rate and unfortunately my daughter passed away after 21 days of fighting. I couldn’t of got through that horrible time in my life without the wonderful people at Cherubs. They provide hope no matter what situation your in. Thank You!
I would like to share CHERUBS. I am a CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) survivor and CHERUBS has been a great source of support and information. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. Their mission is to raise awareness and to find the cause and the means to stop it.
My charity of choice is CHERUBS. My son was diagnosed with CDH 3 years ago and the members of cherubs has been my family ever since. My son was diagnosed almost 6 years after birth so we know this is something that does not just effect newborns, it is also something that can show later in life after years of being healthy. CDH has only a 50% survival rate. I couldn’t have got through that horrible time in my life without the wonderful people at Cherubs. They provide hope no matter what situation your in. Thank You!
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My charity would be CHERUBS. They are a group that provides support fo families of babies with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). They also provide money to go toward research to find out what caused CDH. This is a devastating birth defect that affects 1 in 2500 births. It has a mortality rate of 50% and is as common as cerebral palsy but there is little to no research to find what causes it.
My daughter who is now 7 months old was born with CDH. I found out about her defect when I was 22 weeks pregnant and was told by my doctor that I wouldn’t bring her home because it was so bad. She was born at 38 weeks 5 days and was immediately transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Little Rock, Arkansas. She underwent surgery when she was just 2 days old to repair the hernia. She was at ACH for 10 weeks and it was the hardest 10 weeks of my life. I was at her bed every day all day. Her nurses had to kick me out of the NICU so I would sleep.
Without CHERUBS I would have gone crazy because I felt like I was all alone. Within a month of being at ACH there were 7 babies with CDH admitted to the NICU. Sadly we lost one and another is still fighting very hard for her life.
I would love CHERUBS to get the money because of the support they provide families who are going through this horrible time. I want to leave you with a couple things that Dawn Williamson (founder of CHERUBS) wrote after losing her son to CDH.
No one knows what it’s like to be diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and have your world shatter – unless they have been there themselves.
No one knows what it’s like to watch your baby struggle to breathe – unless they have been there themselves.
No one knows what it’s like to cry yourself to sleep at night wondering if today was the last day you had with your child and the hospital could call at any minute – unless they have been there themselves.
No one knows what it’s like to put a tube down your child’s nose and into their stomach, or past the stomach – while making sure not to hit the lungs – so that your child can eat formula from a pump – unless they have been there themselves.
No one knows what it’s like to carry medical records with you every where you go “just in case” – unless they have been there themselves.
No one knows what it’s like to be in the hospital so much you’re on a first name basis with your surgeons, NICU doctors, nurses, secretarial staff and the cleaning crew – unless they have been there themselves.
My favorite charity is CHERUBS. My daughter, Lillian Sophia, was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) during my 36-week ultrasound. My husband and I were in such a frenzy researching online about CDH, and all we saw was nothing but the worst case scenarios. My husband found the CHERUBS website, and it was such a resourceful website that we told everyone who didn’t know about CDH to check out the CHERUBS website. I recently just became a volunteer, and even though I haven’t met any of the volunteers in person, I have never met a group of people who are so caring and so involved in an organization. Just even a simple e-mail or text telling someone that he or she is a good parent and they support you every step of the way is a big deal to me. I am truly blessed to have the love and support from everyone. Lily is almost 14 months, and she’s just a burst of energy!
My vote is for CHERUBS.
When my son was born in 1993 with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia there was no internet, no Google, no support groups and no information. I only knew 1 other mom dealing with CDH whose son was also in the hospital with mine and she didn’t know anymore than I did. Feeling like you are completely alone with no where to turn to talk to someone, ask questions, find accurate information and support is a horrible, horrible feeling – especially when your child is critically ill and laying in a hospital bed and you don’t know if he will survive hour to hour. I know that is hard to imagine in today’s world with social media and instant information but turn off all your electronics and imagine the worst possible thing happening to you – losing your child – and not being able to reach out for help. That was me and 1000’s of others before CHERUBS.
Now, all these years later, CHERUBS is 17 years and still struggling. There is no funding for these babies, no telethons, no celebrity spokespeople for the 1600 babies born each year in the U.S. with this devastating birth defect. No massive 5k walks or easily identiable ribbon marketed on 100’s of good to raise research money. It is still moms and dads, screaming and shouting and begging the world to pay attention to help these babies. Please help us.
My charity is CHERUBS. When my son was diagnosed at 37 weeks…my husband and I were completely devastated and lost. As close as I am with my family, they just don’t get it the way my CHERUBS family does with what we were going through. There are no words to describe the feeling you have when told that your child only has a 50% chance of survival. Thank goodness for my CHERUBS family.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
CHERUBS would be my vote! My daughter was born 25 years ago and was not diagnosed until birth. We had never heard of this awful defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. We were told she only had a 5% chance of survival. We had no internet and though our family was supportive and we could not have made it thru this horrible time without them. I so wish we had had CHERUBS to have someone that actually knew and understood what we were going through. She showed all the doctors what a fighter she is and home she came. Not all these wonderful and precious babies make it home. 50% receive their wings and fly high into heaven. We so need more awareness so parents know CHERUBS is there for them and they are not alone. Thank you for your consideration!
Forgot too add the CHERUBS website:
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My charity of choice would be CHERUBS. My son was diagnosed at 19 weeks and they were wonderful with giving us information and support. My son is now 13 years old and CHERUBS is still there for us. They gave us HOPE when his drs couldn’t.
My favorite charity is CHERUBS! They have been my rock of support, my fight for answers and most importantly my place of hope. Awareness and funding is needed so desperately for the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect and CHERUBS is doing everything they can to get answers and provide more hope for families. It has been 10 years since I lost my daughter to this devastating birth defect and I continue to hold out hope that one day families wont have to endure the same pain.
I would like to nominate CHERUBS http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/ They are an amazing, supportive group. Along with that they strive to get more research for CDH (congenital diaphragmatic hernia) My son, now 3 was born with CDH and was basically missing all of his diaphragm causing organs to be in his chest. He spent the first 4 mths in NICU and we were able to bring him home with a trach and on life support. That is just the beginning of his story and although doing overall well now, he has a journey ahead. Crazy part is that I feel extremely blessed because half of these CDH babies die after birth. That is why CHERUBS needs all the funds they can get to help receive research, to help stop CDH from killing!! Thank you so much.
CHERUBS is my charity of choice. I wasnt sure what I was doing until I scrolled down and seen the comments. Anyways I have a 2 year old Daughter( Arwyn) that was born with Left sided CDH. We we diagnosed at an 18 weeks ultrasound. Scary stuff not knowing if your baby is going to survive. She has some developmental issues and some underlying issues and reflux. But she is a very happy little girl. I never heard her cry. I didnt get to see her until nearly 3 hours afterwards and seeing her with all those IVS and venelaters was the scariest thing in my life. We were in the NICU for three months and I was by her side everyday. She was one of the lucky ones that didnt have to come home on O2 or with a feeding tube. She just started walking at 24 months and still is not real steady on her feet. But she will get there. I think there has to be something done to find a cure for CDH. It is a very scary thing to have to go thru for the parents. So CHERUBS has my vote!!
I would give the $250 to the Cherubs as not to long ago (Sept. 23, 2011) my son Silas was born with a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). We found out our 20 wk ultrasound. I had a hard pregnancy, & was told that he wouldnt make it to term so when did I want to abort. This condition has no known cause or cure & every 10 mins a baby is born with CDH. Only 50% of these babies live, unfortunately my Silas wasnt one of the lucky ones as he was called to Heaven & earned his wings just 59 minutes after he was born. There is a 80-90% survival rate at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL & that shows us that there is hope for these babies!! Cherubs was the main source of guidance, supoort, information, encouragement & love since Silas’ diagnosis. They are doing great things & really NEED this money to help these babies! Soon is Silas 1yr angel-versary, so this $250 would be in honor of Silas to give back! Thank You CHERUBS
Heather,
Your entry was selected as the winner! I will be donating $250 in your name to CHERUBS later this week!! I will let you know once the gift is complete!!
Kathy
Thank you soooooo much this is in honor of our son Silas Roach 9.23.11! We miss & <3 you!
I would like CHERUBS to win the money. When my son Nicolas was born with CDH in 2009 the only info I recieved while in the hospital was from CHERUBS. I learned all I could from them. I read the stories about the other like my son because until then I thought I was alone. l got hope from them and I knew that this birth defect was much much bigger than what the doctors made it out to be. I try to raise awareness to CDH in every way I can. I have told a friend from high school about CHERUBS when her daughter died of CDH. Now she knows she is not alone. CHERUBS will use the money to help spread awareness and since they run on donations the money will be a big blessing to the many families that they help. Please choose this wonderful charity and god bless.
I would also nominate CHERUBS, my son Adam was born 28th January 1985 with an undiagnoised Congential Diaphragmatic Hernia, he lived for four hours.
This is still happening today, nobody knows why it happens, research is needed!!
CHERUBS is a brilliant organisation, I wish there had been something like this when my son was born.
http://www.cherubs-cdh.org
My vote will always go to CHERUBS!!! My son was born with undiagnosed right sided CDH. About half of the cases are like mine where we had no idea that our babies would be born with major problems. In our case he needed to be transferred by life-flight to another hospital. He spent 63 days in NICU, during that time he spent 10 days on ECMO (heart-lung bypass), 23 on respirators, and 44 on O2. He came home on with a g-tube for eating since he had severe nipple aversion due to all the time on the respirator. Today he is just 10 days from his 10th birthday. To look at him you would never know that he had such a rough start (unless you saw him with out his shirt on). He has had 9 surgeries including his repair, ECMO, gtube, fundoplication, and heart surgery. We are so blessed to have him here with us today, so many bury their sweet children.
My charity of choice is CHERUBS. July 17, 1996 my son was born with an undiagnosed left side congenital diaphragmatic hernia. What we thought was the start of a wonderful night quickly turned into a nightmare as we were plunged into a world we had never even imagined possible. A life of normalcy was thrown out the window and we were forever thrust into a different normal, a life of medical terms, surgeries and possible death of our child. We quickly learned that 50% of children with this birth defect dies. They didn’t know why he had it, today 16yrs later we still don’t. CHERUBS members, my second family, have been by my side throughout six repairs to his diaphragm, countless other surgeries and procedures, and I stand by them as we raise awareness to this devastating birth defect that kills half the babies that are born with it despite the advancement in medical technology. With money we raise we hope and pray that one day we will find a cause and a cure so no other family will ever have to hear the words, “Your child has CDH”.